MI Chapter 2

In this chapter I learned that there are two ways experiences affect multiple intelligences, one in a positive manner and one in a negative manner.  Crystallizing experiences are experiences that occur throughout a person’s development in an intelligence.  Something that is crystallizing will affect a person by promoting their growth in that intelligence.  A paralyzing experience is the opposite; instead of promoting growth, it hinders or suppresses the development of that intelligence. I also learned about certain factors, such as familial, that affect the growth and development of intelligences. In the example of a familial factor, Armstrong says that a parent’s influence, whether good or bad, can contribute to how you develop in a particular intelligence.  In an ideal world, I would love to be able to use my knowledge of crystallizing experiences to help my students find ways to increase their development in the intelligences and to help students with paralyzing experiences suppressing their growth find ways around them, but unfortunately most students won’t be able to identify the cause for their hindrances.  I can still help them to work on improving their strengths; I just won’t be able to completely erase any paralyzing experiences for them.  I’ll also have to understand that there are certain factors in their life that affect them and that there are some things that no matter how hard I try, I won’t be able to change.